Structure utilizing geothermal energy

ABSTRACT

A structure utilizing geothermal energy capable of effectively utilizing a thermal energy in an underground constant temperature layer while using a supplementary heater and an air conditioner and natural energies such as solar heat or solar light, wind power, and water power in order to prevent limited fossil energies such as petroleum, gases, and coal from being exhausted, wherein an insulating wall (A) formed of a plurality of insulation panels ( 1 ) connected to each other and extending from a ground surface ( 4 ) to the underground constant temperature layer ( 21 ) is buried in the ground while surrounding a building ( 22 ) adhesively to the ground exposed portion and the underground buried portion of a foundation ( 5 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure utilizing geothermalenergy, utilizing geothermal energy for cooling and warming a buildingor the like.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In many modes of the related art of utilizing the geothermalenergy, for example, a heat exchanging duct or pipe using air or wateras a heat transfer medium is extended from a basement, an undergroundburied pipe or the like into a building so that the heat transfer mediumwarmed or cooled in the ground is circulated in the building for theair-conditioning purposes or so that a motive power is extracted by anequipment to be actuated by the heat exchanges. Alternatively, anunderground constant temperature layer (or an underground portion laidin selected depth with constant temperature throughout a year) at a lowtemperature is utilized so that the geothermal energy is utilized bystoring food or the like in a cave reaching the underground constanttemperature layer, by storing goods in a hole and by covering or buryingthe goods in the ground, or the like.

[0003] The underground temperature change is caused within the range ofa constant depth from the ground surface mainly by the irradiation ofthe solar heat. The ground deeper than the aforementioned constant depthis an underground constant temperature layer, in which the temperaturehardly changes among the seasons, and the thermal energy rises thehigher as the layer becomes the deeper. The constant depth from theground surface, i.e., the underground constant temperature layer takes alower temperature in summer than that of the ground surface and a highertemperature in winter than that of the ground surface. This thermalenergy of the underground constant temperature layer can be utilized forthe cooling purpose in summer and for the warming purpose in winter, ifit is introduced into a building. And, the thermal energy in theaforementioned underground constant temperature layer is in fact aninexhaustible natural energy and is advantageous over other naturalenergies (e.g., a solar heat or solar light, wind power or water power)in that it is stable and usable (for introducing the thermal energyeasily because it is present just under the building). Theaforementioned example of utilizing the geothermal energy notes thatadvantage, but it cannot be said that the geothermal energy issufficiently utilized. Therefore, means for effectively utilizing thethermal energy in the underground constant temperature layer are studiedwhile using a supplementary device such as a heater or an airconditioner, or while using natural energies such as solar heat, solarlight, wind power, or water power, in order to prevent limited fossilenergies such as petroleum, gases, and coal from being exhausted.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0004] As a result of the studies, there is developed a structureutilizing geothermal energy comprising an insulating wall extending fromthe ground surface to an underground constant temperature layer andburied in the ground while surrounding a building. Specifically, theinsulating wall is buried extending integrally and continuously from theouter wall of the building to surround the building foundation. In thiscase, (a) the insulating wall may be buried in close contact with outerside faces of the ground exposed portion and the underground buriedportion of the building foundation, or (b) the insulating wall may beburied at a location spaced from the outer side face of the groundexposed portion or the outer side face of the underground buried portionof the building foundation. In case the insulating wall is buried at alocation spaced from the outer side face of the ground exposed portionof the building foundation, a closed space is formed at a locationbetween the upper portion of the insulating wall protruding from theground surface and the building foundation. It is, therefore, advisablethat an inner ventilator is mounted in the ground exposed portion or inthe wall of the building for providing the communicative connectionbetween the closed space mentioned above and the building interior, andthat an outer ventilator is mounted in the insulating wall for providingthe communicative connection between the closed space and the outside ofthe structure. For example, each of the inner and outer ventilators maybe provided with a ventilating fan, or a heat exchanging duct may alsobe arranged to provide the communicative connection between the innerand outer ventilators.

[0005] In the present invention, according to the temperaturedistribution of the ground in the depth direction, a building issurrounded on its four sides with the insulating wall which is buried asdeeply as the underground constant temperature layer having stabletemperature fluctuations, so that the heat exchanging range between theinterior of the building and the ground below the building is limited tothe region just under the building, thereby to suppress such uselessheat exchanges as might otherwise cause the temperature change in thebuilding. In summer, the insulating wall blocks the heat exchanges, inwhich the thermal energy by the solar heat irradiating the ground aroundthe building, especially the ground surface around the building is takenthrough the ground from the building foundation into the building, sothat the ground just under the building may be held at a lowertemperature than that of the building, thereby to enhance the coolingeffect of the building interior. In winter, on the other hand, theinsulating wall prevents the warming thermal energy from dissipatingthrough the building foundation into the ground around building therebyto enhance the warming effect of the building interior.

[0006] Table 1 shows the temperature distributions of the individualdistricts of Japan in January (winter) and July (summer) within a rangefrom the ground surface (of 0.0 m depth) to the underground constanttemperature layer (of 3.0 m depth). FIG. 53 shows the undergroundtemperature distribution of Hiroshima in winter, and FIG. 54 shows theunderground temperature distribution of Hiroshima in summer. In theaverage temperature (in a thick row in Table 1) at Hiroshima in winterJanuary, as seen from Table 1 and FIG. 53: a ground surface 39 takes5.0° C.; a 1 m depth layer 40 takes 7.4° C.; a 2 m depth layer 41 takes13.9°C.; and a 3 m depth layer (=the underground constant temperaturelayer) 42 takes 16.0° C., which is higher by 11.0° C. than that of theground surface 39. However, an under-floor area 47 having active heatexchanges with the outside air takes 2.3° C., which is lower than thatof the ground surface. In the average temperature (in a thick row inTable 1) at Hiroshima in summer July, as seen from Table 1 and FIG. 54:a ground surface 43 takes 29.6° C.; a 1 m depth layer 44 takes 25.4° C.;a 2 m depth layer 45 takes 19.5° C.; and a 3 m depth layer (=theunderground constant temperature layer) 46 takes 17.3° C., which islower by 12.3° C. than that of the ground surface 43. In summer, too, anunder-floor area 49 having active heat exchanges takes 24.3° C., whichis made considerably high, although shaded, by the heat radiation fromthe ground surface 43. TABLE 1 Surface and Ground Temperature (° C.)Distribution Statistical Years (1886-1945)

[0007] Data: [Japanese Weather Table by Districts]

[0008] Edited by Central Meteorological Observatory, May, 1950

[0009] In all the individual districts, as apparent from Table 1, theunderground temperatures of summer and winter are substantially equal inthe vicinity of a depth of 2 to 3 m. Although different according to thekinds of soil and the surrounding environments, the layer of a depth of2 to 3 m can be deemed as the underground constant temperature layer. Inother words, a shallower ground and the ground surface are affected bythe temperature change of the surrounding ground, especially by the heatexchanges from the ground surface which is subjected to the influencesof the outside air. Therefore, the aforementioned heat exchanges of theground surface, as is not exposed to the solar light, just under thebuilding are prevented to suppress the temperature change in the layerover the underground constant temperature layer, i.e., the layer fromthe ground surface to the underground constant temperature layer.

[0010] The building, to which the present invention can be applied: (1)may be constructed such that the bottom face of the building contactsdirectly with the ground surface in the area surrounded by theinsulating wall; (2) may be filled with rubbles between the bottom faceof the building and the ground surface in the area surrounded by theinsulating wall; (3) may be constructed such that a mat foundationextending partially or wholly from the bottom face of the buildingcontacts directly with the ground surface in the area surrounded by theinsulating wall; and (4) may be filled with rubbles between a matfoundation extending partially or wholly from the bottom face of thebuilding and the ground surface in the area surrounded by the insulatingwall. Thus, the blocking of the heat exchanges according to the presentinvention between the building interior and the ground surface aroundthe building is realized by the insulating wall around the building sothat the present invention can be applied to any types of the portion ofthe building foundation.

[0011] The insulating wall characterizing the present invention is basedon (A) that the insulating wall is constructed of insulation panels madeof a synthetic resin. Specifically, the insulating wall is constructedby connecting a plurality of insulation panels adhesively to each other,and the individual insulation panels of a synthetic resin areconstructed to have a fitting ridge on one of the abutting edges to beadhesively connected to each other and a fitting groove in the otherabutting edge. These insulation panels made of a synthetic resin mayhave moisture permeable holes for providing the communicative connectionbetween the inside and the outside of the insulating wall. Generally,the insulation panels are inferior in the air permeability or moisturepermeability, and the water drainage just under the building may bedeteriorated if the building is surrounded by the insulation panels. Itis, therefore, advisable that the insulation panels are provided withthe moisture permeable holes. In addition, (B) the insulating wall mayalso be constructed by connecting hollow pipes made of a synthetic resinor a metal in close contact to each other. These hollow pipes made of asynthetic resin or a metal may also have moisture permeable holes forproviding the communicative connection between the inside and theoutside of the insulating wall. In case the insulating wall isconstructed by arranging a plurality of pipes inward or outward of thebuilding, the moisture permeable holes of the individual pipes need notto be provided as straight communicative connections. Even if themoisture permeable holes of the individual pipes are staggered, it issufficient that the insulating wall can exhibit the air permeability ormoisture permeability in its entirety.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail in connectionwith embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an insulation panel to beused in the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an insulating panel ofanother example;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed by burying insulation panels;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing the state, in which theinsulating wall is constructed by burying the insulation panels;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an insulation panel ofanother example;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an insulation panel ofanother example;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed by burying insulation panels of anotherexample;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed by burying insulation panels of anotherexample;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an insulation panel ofanother example;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an insulation panel ofanother example;

[0023]FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed by burying insulation panels of anotherexample;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a top plan view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed by burying insulation panels of anotherexample;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with the buildingfoundation;

[0026]FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from the buildingfoundation;

[0027]FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with the buildingfoundation of another example;

[0028]FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from the buildingfoundation of another example;

[0029]FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with the buildingfoundation of another example;

[0030]FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from the buildingfoundation of another example;

[0031]FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with the buildingfoundation;

[0032]FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with the buildingfoundation;

[0033]FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with a buildingfoundation having an underground beam;

[0034]FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from a buildingfoundation having an underground beam;

[0035]FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from a buildingfoundation having an underground beam;

[0036]FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from a buildingfoundation having an underground beam;

[0037]FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with a ground structureutilizing geothermal energy;

[0038]FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from a groundstructure utilizing geothermal energy;

[0039]FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with an undergroundstructure utilizing geothermal energy;

[0040]FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from an undergroundstructure utilizing geothermal energy;

[0041]FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed in close contact with a vinyl house;

[0042]FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing the state, in which aninsulating wall is constructed at a location spaced from a vinyl house;

[0043]FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing a relation between aninsulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0044]FIG. 32 is a sectional view of another example showing a relationbetween an insulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0045]FIG. 33 is a sectional view of another example showing a relationbetween an insulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0046]FIG. 34 is a sectional view of another example showing a relationbetween an insulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0047]FIG. 35 is a sectional view of another example showing a relationbetween an insulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0048]FIG. 36 is a sectional view of another example showing a relationbetween an insulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0049]FIG. 37 is a sectional view of another example showing a relationbetween an insulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0050]FIG. 38 is a sectional view of another example showing a relationbetween an insulating wall and underground temperature distributions;

[0051]FIG. 39 is a sectional view showing the state, in which theoutside air is introduced via a closed space between a building and aninsulating wall;

[0052]FIG. 40 is a top plan view showing the state, in which the outsideair is introduced via a closed space between a building and aninsulating wall;

[0053]FIG. 41 is a sectional view showing the state, in whichsupplementary air-conditioning facilities are utilized through a closedspace between a building and an insulating wall;

[0054]FIG. 42 is a top plan view showing the state, in whichsupplementary air-conditioning facilities are utilized through a closedspace between a building and an insulating wall;

[0055]FIG. 43 is a sectional view showing a more practical example ofthe present invention;

[0056]FIG. 44 is a sectional view showing another more practical exampleof the present invention;

[0057]FIG. 45 is a sectional view of a building having a quakeproofstructure;

[0058]FIG. 46 is a sectional view of a building having a quakeproofstructure, to which the present invention is applied;

[0059]FIG. 47 is a sectional view of a building having a quakeproofstructure of another example;

[0060]FIG. 48 is a sectional view of a building having quakeproofstructure of another example, to which the present invention is applied;

[0061]FIG. 49 is a sectional view showing an example, in which theinsulating wall is extended along an outer wall of the building;

[0062]FIG. 50 is a sectional view showing another example, in which theinsulating wall is extended along an outer wall of the building;

[0063]FIG. 51 is a sectional view showing an insulating wall composed ofhollow pipes;

[0064]FIG. 52 is a top plan view showing the insulating wall composed ofthe hollow pipes;

[0065]FIG. 53 is a sectional view showing an underground temperaturedistribution band at Hiroshima in winter; and

[0066]FIG. 54 is a sectional view showing an underground temperaturedistribution band at Hiroshima in summer.

[0067] In individual Figures, moreover: Numeral 1 means InsulationPanel; Numeral 2 means Moisture Permeable Holes; Numeral 3 means Ground;Numeral 4 means Ground Surface; Numeral 5 means Building Foundation;Numeral 6 means Sills; Numeral 7 means Pillars; Numeral 8 means InnerWall; Numeral 9 means Outer Wall; Numeral 10 means Water Drip; Numeral11 means Closed Space; Numeral 12 means Under-floor Area; Numeral 13means Steel Frame; Numeral 14 means Earth Floor; Numeral 15 means VinylHouse; Numeral 16 means Ridges; Numeral 17 means Floor; Numeral 18 meansInterior; Numeral 19 means Layer of 1 M Depth; Numeral 20 means Layer of2 M Depth; Numeral 21 means Layer of 3 M Depth (Underground ConstantTemperature Layer); Numeral 22 means Building; Numeral 23 means Roof;Numeral 24 means Ceiling; Numeral 25 means House Interior; Numeral 26means Outside Air; Numeral 27 means Building Wall; Numeral 28 means AirCleaner; Numeral 29 means Ventilator; Numeral 30 means Duct; Numeral 31means Heat Transfer Medium; Numeral 32 means Building FoundationConcrete; Numeral 33 means Rubbles; Numeral 34 means Moisture ProofSheet; Numeral 35 means Upper Insulation Panel; Numeral 36 means HollowPipes; Numeral 37 means Upper Portion of the Building; Numeral 38 meansBasement; Numeral 39 means Ground Surface (5.0° C.); Numeral 40 meansLayer (7.4° C.) of 1 M Depth; Numeral 41 means Layer (13.9° C.) of 2 MDepth; Numeral 42 means Layer (16.020 C., Underground ConstantTemperature Layer) of 3 M Depth; Numeral 43 means Ground Surface (29.6°C.); Numeral 44 means Layer (25.4° C.) of 1 M Depth; Numeral 45 meansLayer (19.5° C.) of 2 M Depth; Numeral 46 means Layer (17.3° C.,Underground Constant Temperature Layer) of 3 M Depth; Numeral 47 meansUnder-floor Area (2.3° C.); Numeral 49 means Under-floor Area (24.3°C.); Numeral 50 means Fitting Ridge; Numeral 51 means Fitting Groove;Numeral 52 means Underground Beams; and Letter A means Insulating Wall.

[0068] In the present invention, insulation panels 1 of an syntheticresin, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are used to construct an insulatingwall A, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The insulation panels 1, asexemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2, are made of a synthetic resin and havesuch a height as can be buried deeply into the ground 3 from the groundsurface 4. Each insulation panel 1 is provided with a fitting ridge 50on its left side edge (as located on the depth side of FIG. 1) and onits upper edge, and with a fitting groove 51 on the right side edge (aslocated on this side of FIG. 1). The insulation panels 1 and 1, asjuxtaposed, are fitted in and connected to each other. Moreover, theinsulation panel face has moisture permeable holes 2 for thecommunicative connection through its inside and outside. The example ofFIG. 2 is cut away at its lower right corner portion from the insulationpanel 1 of FIG. 1.

[0069] It is sufficient that the insulation panels 1 can be connected toeach other, and its fitting ridge and groove are not essentialcomponents. Therefore, instead of the insulation panel shown in FIG. 1or FIG. 2, the insulation panels 1 of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 omitting thefitting ridge on the upper edge may be used to construct the insulatingwall A shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8. In a low humidity district, moreover,it is needless to consider the air permeability or water permeability inthe ground 3. Therefore, it is sufficient that the insulation panels ofFIG. 9 or FIG. 10 further omitting the moisture permeable holes from theinsulation panels of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 may be used to construct theinsulating wall A shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0070] Here will be described the specific application of the presentinvention.

[0071] In the application of the present invention to a building 22, asshown in FIG. 13, the insulation panel 1 is basically buried in closecontact with a building foundation (or a standard continuous buildingfoundation having an inverted T-section), or preferably the insulationpanel 1 is extended so long as to reach an outer wall 9 thereby toconstruct the insulating wall A. In short, the insulating wall A isvertically extended across the ground surface 4. In this case, theinsulation panels 1 having the moisture permeable holes 2 are used inthe buried portion of the insulating wall A, but the insulation panels 1of the portion of the insulating wall A over the ground need not havethe moisture permeable holes 2, and the insulating wall A may be coveredat its uppermost end with a water drip 10. Thus, sills 6 are mounted onthe building foundation 5 within the range from the ground 3 (i.e., theunderground constant temperature layer) to the ground and within therange surrounded by the insulating wall A, and the building 22 composedof pillars 7, an inner wall 8 and an outer wall 9 is erected on thosesills 6. Then, the building 22, i.e., its under-floor area 12 can bespaced from the underground heat exchanges.

[0072] When the insulation panels 1 are spaced through a closed space 11from the building foundation 5, the insulating wall A can be constructedwith the continuous single insulation panel 1 extending from the ground3 to the ground surface 4, as shown in FIG. 14. In this case, the closedspace 11 forms an air insulating layer between the insulating wall A andthe building 22, and acts to enhance the actions and effects of theinvention. With the continuous building foundation 5 having a straightsection, moreover, the insulating wall A can be constructed of thesingle insulation panel 1 extending in close contact with the buildingfoundation 5 from the ground 3 to the ground surface 4, as shown in FIG.15. In this case, too, the insulating wall A may be constructed of theinsulation panels 1 spaced from the building foundation 5 with formingthe closed space 11, as shown in FIG. 16. In the less moisture place,moreover, the insulating wall A may also be constructed of theinsulation panel 1 omitting the moisture permeable holes, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18.

[0073] The present invention aims mainly at burying the insulating wallinto the underground constant temperature layer or in the layer of 3 mdepth. As a matter of fact, however, it is not a little case that theaforementioned depth cannot be desired, depend upon hardness of theground. In this case, the ground 3 is excavated so deeply as thebuilding foundation 5, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. It is, therefore,advisable that the insulation panel 1 is brought into close contact withthe building foundation 5 thereby to extend the insulating wall A to aposition as deep as possible.

[0074] The invention can be applied not only to the aforementionedcontinuous building foundation 5 but also to another buildingfoundations.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the present invention can belikewise applied to the building foundation 5 having underground beams52. In this case, the closed space under the underground beams 52 and inthe building foundation 5 can be filled up with soil thereby to increasethe stability as the building 22 and to retain the thermal integrationbetween the building 22 and the ground 3. In this case, too, theinsulating wall A can be constructed at a location spaced from thebuilding foundation 5, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

[0076] The present invention can also be applied to the simple building22 having no building foundation. In the building 22 which is simplifiedto have only a building upper portion 37 with no building foundation byerecting pillars 7 and 7 on the earth floor 14, for example, theinsulating wall A is constructed by burying the insulation panels 1 inclose contact with the outer wall 9, as shown in FIG. 25. In this case,too, the insulating wall A may be spaced from the outer wall 9 byforming the closed space 11, as shown in FIG. 26. For the building 22having the continuous building foundation 5 to construct a basement 38,moreover, the insulating wall A of the present invention can beconstructed, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. In addition, the presentinvention can be applied like above to a vinyl house 15 having ridges 16inside a house 25, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30.

[0077] Here will be described the specific actions of the presentinvention. FIG. 31 to FIG. 34 show an example using the building 22 ofan ordinary house, and FIG. 35 to FIG. 38 show an example using thevinyl house 15..

[0078] In the example shown in FIG. 31, the sills 6 are mounted on thebuilding foundation 5 having the underground beams 52, and an interior18 surrounded by a floor 17, a building wall 27 and a ceiling 24 isconstructed, so that the building 22 having a roof 23 is erected. Theinsulating wall A is constructed by burying the insulation panels 1 inthe ground 3 while closely contacting with the building foundation 5,such that the insulation panels 1 reach a layer 21 of 3 m depth (or theunderground constant temperature layer) from the ground surface 4through a layer 19 of 1 m depth and a layer 20 of 2 m depth. Theinsulating wall A is closed at its upper end with the water drip 10 asin the aforementioned individual examples.

[0079] The insulating wall A shields the heat exchanges between thesurroundings of the building 22 in the ground 3 and the 1 m depth layer19, the 2 m depth layer 20 and the 3 m depth layer (or the undergroundconstant temperature layer) 21, as surrounded by the insulating wall A,just under the building 22. As a result, the interior 18 performs theheat exchanges with the 3 m depth layer (or the underground constanttemperature layer) 21 through the 1m depth layer 19 and the 2 m depthlayer 20. Specifically, the interior 18 is cooled in summer by the heatexchanges with the 3m depth layer (or the underground constanttemperature layer) 21 having a lower temperature than that of theoutside air, and is warmed in winter by the heat exchanges with the 3 mdepth layer (or the underground constant temperature layer) 21 having ahigher temperature than that of the outside air, so that the external(electric or gas) energies required for cooling or warming the interior18 can be reduced. In this case, it is advisable for suppressing theheat exchanging loss at the portion separating the interior 18 and the 1m depth layer that the floor 17, the sills 6 and the underground beams52 are held in close contact with each other, as seen in this example(FIG. 31). Further, in order to suppress the affections of the heatexchanges of the ground exposed portion of the building foundation 5with the outside air, it is advisable that the insulation panels 1 areburied while leaving the closed space 11 from the building foundation 5,as shown in FIG. 32.

[0080] By thus shielding the heat exchanges between the ground surroundthe building and the ground just under the building, the insulating wallA is intended to cool or warm the interior by the heat exchanges betweenthe interior and the underground constant temperature layer, which takesa lower temperature (in summer) and a higher temperature (in winter)than that of the interior. Basically, as the insulating wall A buried isthe deeper, therefore, it is the more preferable. If the aforementionedactions are realized, however, the burying depth of the insulating wallA may be smaller. As shown in FIG. 33 or FIG. 34, for example, it issufficient that the insulating wall A is so shallow as to reach the 2 mdepth layer 20.

[0081] Moreover, the aforementioned actions of the insulating wall A arerealized at least by burying the insulation panels around the building.Even if the building is replaced by the vinyl house 15, as shown inFIGS. 35, 36, 37 and 38, therefore, the actions of the insulating wall Areach the house interior 25. As a result, the external energy necessaryfor keeping the temperature of the house interior 25 is reduced toprovide an effect that the vinyl house 15 can be utilized at a lowercost than that of the related art.

[0082] In the case of the examples thus far made, in which the closedspace is formed between the building or the building foundation and theinsulating wall, the actions of the insulating wall extend so long as toreach the aforementioned closed space. In case the interior 18 is to beventilated, therefore, the outside air 26 is taken not directly butafter it is cooled (in summer) or warmed (in winter) through the closedspace 11, as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40. In the example of FIG. 39, aircleaners 28 and ventilators 29 are arranged in the insulating wall A andthe building wall 27 at the symmetric positions so that the outside air26 may be taken in the interior 18 through the closed space 11.

[0083] Utilizing that a cooling (in summer) or warming (in winter)effect at a constant level can be expected by the passage through theclosed space 11, moreover, a duct 30 for passing the heat transfermedium (e.g., air, water or another air-conditioning medium) of thesupplementary air-conditioning facilities may be extended through theclosed space 11 from the outside of the insulating wall A to theinterior 18. As a result, in summer, for example, the temperature riseof the cooling medium through the duct 30 is suppressed so that thesupplementary cooler can be utilized with a small loss. In winter, too,the temperature fall of the heating medium is suppressed so that thesupplementary heater can be utilized with a small loss.

[0084] In case the present invention is applied to the more practicalbuilding 22, the insulating wall A is desired to reach a depth overrubbles 33, because the building foundation 5 is constructed, as shownin FIGS. 43 and 44, by paving the rubbles 33 at first and then byplacing building foundation concrete 32. In case the present inventionis applied to the building 22 having a quakeproof structure, in which apacked bed of the rubbles 33 is formed to surround the buildingfoundation concrete 32 and the building foundation 5 and to fill therange up to the underground beams 52, as shown in FIG. 45, moreover, itis advisable that the insulating wall A is constructed to surround theaforementioned packed bed of the rubbles 33 and to reach the ground 3deeper than that packed bed, as shown in FIG. 46. The invention can alsobe applied, as shown in FIG. 48, to the building 22 of the quakeproofstructure of this example (FIG. 47), in which a moisture proof sheet 34is arranged between the building foundation concrete 32 and the buildingfoundation 5 and along the lower faces of the underground beams 52.

[0085] In order to exercise actions and effects of the insulating wallof the present invention being better, it is advisable that the buildingexchanges the heat not directly with the outside air but exclusivelywith the underground constant temperature layer. As shown in FIG. 49 orFIG. 50, for example, the insulating wall A may be extended upward inits entirety by jointing upper insulation panels 35 to the insulatingwall A, thereby to cover the side face of the building 22 wholly withthe insulating wall A. As a result, the interior 18 can exchange theheat exclusively downward to the ground 3 so that better actions andeffects of the case, in which the present invention is applied, can beexercised.

[0086] The insulating wall A of the invention is constructed most simplyby using the insulation panels, but a variety of insulating walls A canbe utilized, if they are constructed to exercise the heat insulationfrom the viewpoint of the actions to shield the heat exchanges. Aboveall, it is preferable that the insulating wall A is constructed byburying a large number of hollow pipes 36 in close contact with thebuilding foundation 5 each other. The air layers in the hollow pipes Aform the heat insulating layer so that the hollow pipes can be used asthe insulating wall A of the present invention even if the heatexchanges by the close contacts of the hollow pipes 36 are balanced.This results in an advantage that hollow pipes made of metal or resincan be utilized for the insulating wall A of this example thereby toconstruct a structurally stronger insulating wall A than that of theaforementioned insulation panels.

Industrial Applicability

[0087] According to the present invention, the air can be conditioned byutilizing the underground constant temperature layer while economizingin the external energies. Moreover, the present invention utilizes thetransfer of thermal energies (or heat exchanges) for the heat balancebetween the interior and the underground constant temperature layer sothat it is advantageous in no use of motive power and in no generationof vibrations or noises. Once the insulating wall A is constructed,moreover, what it needs is maintenances and managements like those of anordinary building. Moreover, the heat source on one side for the heatexchanges is the underground constant temperature layer which isinexhaustible in fact. Therefore, another advantage is that the runningcost is far lower than that utilizing another air conditioningfacilities and that the run can be continued permanently.

[0088] The heat balance between the interior and the undergroundconstant temperature layer converges into the state in which the thermalenergies of the both become equivalent, so that the interior or thehouse interior and the underground constant temperature layer do nottake an equal temperature. However, the interior takes relatively alower temperature in summer than the exterior and a higher temperaturein winter than the exterior. From the aforementioned Table 1, forexample, the underground constant temperature layer (or the 3 m depthlayer) in Hiroshima can be deemed to be 16 to 17° C. throughout a year,and this value is equal to the temperature of May or June. From thisfact, a relatively comfortable interior can be provided without any airconditioning, if the interior temperature can be brought close to thatof the underground constant temperature layer. This provisioncontributes not only to the health maintenance such as the suppressionof stresses or the prevention of diseases but also to the stabilizationand promotion of the growths of plants. The present invention isfeatured by such a point different from that of the energy utilizationof the related art that those effects can be homogeneously given to thebuilding or vinyl house as a whole.

[0089] In view of the situations of recent years, in which lives aresupported on the basis of the consumptions of fossil energies such aspetroleum, gases and coal, there have been continuously feared theproblems of the reduction of resources or the global warming due toincreases in the discharge of by-products such as CO₂ according to theenergy consumptions. These fears hasten us to investigate, develop orintroduce the utilizations of natural energies such as solar heat orlight, wind power, water power or geothermal energy. Of these naturalenergies, the geothermal energy is advantageous in that it needs nomotive power when utilized and can be constantly utilized fortwenty-four hours. By utilizing these geothermal energies forair-conditioning the building, according to the present invention, theamount of fossil energies to be used for the conventionalair-conditioning is drastically reduced to realize the energyconservation.

1. A structure utilizing geothermal energy comprising an insulating wallextending from a ground surface to an underground constant temperaturelayer and buried in a ground while surrounding a building.
 2. Astructure utilizing geothermal energy according to claim 1, wherein saidinsulating wall is buried to surround a building foundation.
 3. Astructure utilizing geothermal energy according to claim 2, wherein saidinsulating wall is buried in close contact with a ground exposed portionand an underground buried portion of said building foundation.
 4. Astructure utilizing geothermal energy according to claim 2, wherein saidinsulating wall is buried at a location spaced from said ground exposedportion or said underground buried portion of said building foundation.5. A structure utilizing geothermal energy according to claim 4,wherein: an inner ventilator is mounted in said ground exposed portionor in a wall of the building for providing a communicative connectionbetween a closed space between said ground exposed portion of saidbuilding foundation and said insulating wall and a building interior;and an outer ventilator is mounted in said insulating wall for providingsaid communicative connection between said closed space and an outside.6. A structure utilizing geothermal energy according to claim 1, whereina bottom face of the building contacts directly with said ground surfacein the area surrounded by said insulating wall.
 7. A structure utilizinggeothermal energy according to claim 1, wherein rubbles are filedbetween said bottom face of the building and said ground surface in thearea surrounded by said insulating wall.
 8. A structure utilizinggeothermal energy according to claim 2, wherein a mat foundationextending partially or wholly from said bottom face of the buildingcontacts directly with said ground surface in the area surrounded bysaid insulating wall.
 9. A structure utilizing geothermal energyaccording to claim 2, wherein said rubbles are filled between said matfoundation extending partially or wholly from said bottom face of thebuilding and said ground surface in the area surrounded by saidinsulating wall.
 10. A structure utilizing geothermal energy accordingto claim 1, wherein said insulating wall is constructed of insulationpanels made of synthetic resin.
 11. A structure utilizing geothermalenergy according to claim 10, wherein the insulation panels made ofsynthetic resin have moisture permeable holes for providing thecommunicative connection between the inside and the outside of saidinsulating wall.
 12. A structure utilizing geothermal energy accordingto claim 1, wherein said insulating wall is constructed by connectinghollow pipes made of synthetic resin or metal in close contact to eachother.
 13. A structure utilizing geothermal energy according to claim12, wherein said hollow pipes made of synthetic resin or metal have saidmoisture permeable holes for providing the communicative connectionbetween the inside and the outside of said insulating wall.